Long Way With Nothing (Maycroft Rec Area, Alberta, Canada)

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That’s a long road with nothing!

As soon as we left Longview this morning we entered into ranchlands – and they never ended. The trees have been cleared away and the whole area is nothing more than huge grassy fields with cows and horses.

But talk about hill! Huge gradual climb after huge gradual climb with barely a down in between. After 68 km, we finally reached the top and started our descent – WHEEE!

We’re now paralleling the Rockies and had fabulous views of the mountains most of the day – until it clouded over and started to rain.

Fortunately, the rain was short-lived, but for a while there we feared we were in for a cold, wet afternoon.

Kilometers today: 89

Kilometers to date: 4500

About Nancy Sathre-Vogel

After 21 years as a classroom teacher, Nancy Sathre-Vogel finally woke up and realized that life was too short to spend it all with other people's kids. She and her husband quit their jobs and, together with their twin sons, climbed aboard bicycles to see the world. They enjoyed four years cycling as a family - three of them riding from Alaska to Argentina and one exploring the USA and Mexico. Now they are back in Idaho, putting down roots, enjoying life at home, and living a different type of adventure. It's a fairly sure bet that you'll find her either writing on her computer or creating fantastical pieces with the beads she's collected all over the world.

2 Responses to Long Way With Nothing (Maycroft Rec Area, Alberta, Canada)

This is the most wonderful place in the world. The trees were not “cleared away”…there never were any trees. This is ranch/grazing land as described through the last several centurys.

You will find trees in sparse glades and trees in the forest feet of the mountains. For the most part, this is range land, clear and mostly barron for miles. Winds will blow at 60+ and then some, temperatures can swing in excess of 50 degrees in a day. Several feet of snow will disappear with a single blow, called a Chinook.

The people who live here have been here for decades. They are the people who make the backbone of Canada. Strong, resilient and not afraid of work.

50 years ago this place was so remote it was not even on the map and you could not travel the roads for stray cattle in your path, on the roads and in the ditches grazing.

I can see how your homeland is a special area!! I’m from the west where we have desert as far as the eye can see – and I love it!! Your whole area was so peaceful and quiet – I would probably fall in love with it too!!